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Title: GTF_Call to select 5 companies within the Energy Audit Support Program for Mandatory Energy Audits of Large Enterprises in the Republic of Moldova.

Reg. no.: EoI26/03277

Launch date: 14 May 2026, 10:30 (GMT+2:00)

Deadline: 31 May 2026, 16:30 (GMT+2:00)

Procurement method: Expression of Interest

Category & Sub-category: Grants;Grants to Beneficiaries

Overview:

Introduction

Disclaimer: Selected enterprises will be engaged as Responsible Parties (RPs) under a Low Value Performance-Based Payment (PBP) Agreement, in accordance with UNDP policies and procedures. Payments are strictly performance-based and are made only upon verified achievement of agreed results and completion of deliverables, as defined in the Agreement. All payments are contingent upon CNED validation of the audit reports and verification against the agreed payment-linked indicators.

With the support of the Government of Denmark, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) is implementing the regional project “Greening the Future, Advancing Rights and Stability: Spurring an Inclusive and Green Transition with Responsive Governance in the Eastern Neighbourhood Region”, which aims to accelerate the green transition in the Republic of Moldova by promoting energy efficiency, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and strengthening compliance with national energy efficiency legislation.

Within this framework, UNDP is launching a competitive selection process to identify 5 large enterprises from the official list of 45 large enterprises obligated to conduct mandatory energy audits, as approved by the Order of the Director of the National Centre for Sustainable Energy (CNED) no. 60/AB dated 30 December 2025[1]. Under this program, UNDP will provide performance-based payments of up to USD 10,000 per validated energy audit report but not exceeding 50% of the total contract cost for energy audit services.

Additionally, if the selected companies demonstrate that they have initiated the adoption of the energy efficiency-related ISO standards (such as ISO 50001) and/or implement energy management systems, they may receive targeted technical support of up to USD 4,000 per enterprise.

No upfront payments will be provided under this program. All financial support is strictly performance-based and contingent upon verified achievement of results and CNED validation of deliverables.

Energy auditing is a key instrument of the national energy efficiency policy framework and serves as a practical tool for identifying energy-saving opportunities, improving operational efficiency, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. According to the Law on Energy Efficiency No. 139/2018 (as amended), large enterprises are subject to mandatory energy audits every four years, following notification by CNED. The list of obligated enterprises and related requirements are further detailed in the Regulation on Energy Auditors and Energy Auditing, approved by Government Decision No. 676/2020, and in the specific Regulation on conducting energy audits by large enterprises. Many of these enterprises face financial and technical barriers in fulfilling this obligation within the required timeframe. This program aims to address these barriers by providing partial financial support for high-quality mandatory audits, thereby facilitating compliance and promoting subsequent implementation of recommended measures.

The selection process will prioritize state-owned or municipal large enterprises providing essential social goods or services to the population (such as food production, water supply and sanitation, energy generation / distribution / transport, or other critical services). Selected enterprises will receive support for conducting comprehensive energy audits, resulting in a validated report that includes an assessment of current energy use, identification of inefficiencies, and a set of technically and economically justified recommendations for energy efficiency improvements and potential renewable energy integration.

All energy audits supported under this program will be conducted in full compliance with the national legal and quality assurance framework, including Government Decision No. 676/2020 and the relevant CNED regulations. Audit services must be provided by qualified companies employing accredited energy auditors registered in the Electronic Register of Energy Auditors managed by CNED. Only CNED-validated audit reports shall qualify for performance-based payments, in accordance with the agreed results and payment-linked indicators.

Overall Purpose

The Energy Audit Support for Large Enterprises aims to assist selected large state-owned or municipal enterprises in the Republic of Moldova in fulfilling their mandatory energy audit obligations under national legislation, while promoting the adoption of energy management systems and contributing to Moldova’s green and inclusive transition.

Specific Objectives

The specific objectives of the program are to:

• Facilitate compliance with mandatory energy audit requirements for large enterprises as established by Law No. 139/2018 and CNED notifications;
• Reduce financial barriers associated with conducting high-quality mandatory energy audits;
• Promote the adoption of energy efficiency measures, renewable energy solutions, and energy management systems (e.g., ISO 50001);
• Contribute to reduced energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and operational costs in strategically important sectors providing essential services;
• Strengthen cooperation between public enterprises, central authorities (CNED, Ministry of Energy), and development partners in advancing national energy efficiency objectives.

The adoption of energy efficiency measures and renewable energy-based technologies offers large enterprises a range of tangible benefits that directly support operational sustainability, service reliability, fiscal responsibility, and long-term resilience. Conducting a mandatory energy audit represents an essential step in identifying these benefits and translating them into concrete actions.

Key advantages include:

• Reduction of operational and energy costs

The implementation of energy efficiency measures – such as thermal insulation of buildings, modernization of heating, cooling, and ventilation systems, optimization of production or distribution processes, or upgrading to efficient equipment – can significantly reduce electricity, fuel, and thermal energy consumption. In the context of volatile energy prices and constrained public budgets, these savings enhance financial sustainability and free up resources for core service delivery, infrastructure maintenance, or social investments. Well-targeted measures can lead to energy cost reductions of 15–35%, depending on the sector and baseline conditions.

• Improved reliability of operations and service continuity

Energy audits help identify inefficiencies that may affect equipment performance, process stability, or service delivery (e.g., interruptions in water/energy supply). Improvements such as better system controls, upgraded lighting, or resilient infrastructure contribute to safer, more reliable, and uninterrupted provision of essential public services, reducing downtime and maintenance costs.

• Enhanced environmental performance and regulatory alignment

By identifying opportunities to reduce energy consumption and integrate renewable energy solutions (e.g., solar PV systems, heat pumps, or biomass), energy audits support enterprises in lowering greenhouse gas emissions and environmental impact. These actions contribute to national climate and energy objectives and help public enterprises align with evolving environmental regulations, as well as with EU sustainability standards increasingly relevant under Moldova’s integration agenda.

• Strengthened strategic position and access to financing

Enterprises that improve their energy performance benefit from lower operating costs, enhanced credibility, and better positioning for future green financing. Audit results create a justified pipeline of investments, facilitating access to national programs (managed by CNED or other institutions), EU funds, or development partner support, thereby strengthening long-term competitiveness and public accountability.

Conflict of Interest

Applicants must ensure that no conflict of interest exists, including:

• No direct or indirect affiliation with the selected audit provider that would compromise impartiality;
• No affiliation with UNDP Moldova, CNED staff, or members of the Evaluation Committee;
• No involvement of enterprise representatives in the evaluation or decision-making process.

UNDP reserves the right to reject any application where a conflict of interest is identified.

Data Protection

UNDP will process applicant data solely for the purposes of eligibility verification, evaluation, due diligence, and reporting related to this program. Data will not be disclosed to third parties except as required by UNDP policies, project auditing, or applicable law. All information will be stored securely and retained only for the period necessary for compliance and reporting.

Non Discrimination

Participation in this competition is open regardless of gender, ethnicity, political affiliation, or locality, provided all eligibility criteria are met.

1. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

I.1 General Eligibility Criteria

The applicant enterprise must:

• Be a state-owned or municipal enterprise;
• Be legally registered and operating in the Republic of Moldova;
• Be included in the official list of large enterprises obligated to conduct mandatory energy audits, as approved by the Order of the Director of the National Centre for Sustainable Energy (CNED) no. 60/AB dated 30 December 2025 (updated list published on the CNED website);
• Not be subject to insolvency, liquidation, reorganization, suspension of activity, or similar legal proceedings at the time of application;
• Have no outstanding debts to the national public budget at the time of application;
• Not have been sanctioned for corruption, fraud, misuse of public funds, or similar offenses;
• Not have benefited from other public or donor-funded support specifically for the same mandatory energy audit activity (as per CNED notification requirements).

I.2 Specific Eligibility Criteria

The applicant enterprise must:

• Have not conducted an energy audit in the last four years, in accordance with the requirements of Law No. 139/2018 on Energy Efficiency (as amended) and the Regulation on Conducting Energy Audits by Large Enterprises (approved by Government Decision No. 829/2024, with subsequent amendments);
• Have not implemented an energy management system compliant with ISO 50001 and/or an environmental management system compliant with ISO 14001 (or equivalent certified systems);
• Have concluded (or be in the advanced process of concluding) a contract with a qualified energy audit service provider employing accredited energy auditors registered in the Electronic Register of Energy Auditors managed by CNED, in line with Government Decision No. 676/2020 on Energy Auditors and Energy Auditing. For the purpose of eligibility, enterprises may submit either a signed contract, a draft contract, or documented proof that contractual negotiations with a qualified energy audit provider are in an advanced stage. This ensures compliance with UNDP rules that beneficiary competitions must not impose procurement like restrictions;
• ;
• Commit to active participation in the energy audit process, including:
  • Providing full access to premises, equipment, installations, and relevant technical and financial data;
  • Designating a responsible focal point or contact person for communication with the audit team and UNDP;
  • Submitting the completed and validated audit report to CNED for official verification and validation (prerequisite for the UNDP performance-based payment).

I.3 Eligibility Related to Legal Obligation and Audit Framework The applicant must:

• Acknowledge receipt of the official CNED notification regarding the mandatory energy audit obligation (pursuant to Article 19 of Law No. 139/2018 and the CNED Order no. 60/AB of 30 December 2025);
• Commit to conducting the energy audit in full compliance with:
  • Law No. 139/2018 on Energy Efficiency (as amended);
  • Government Decision No. 676/2020 on Energy Auditors and Energy Auditing;
  • Government Decision No. 829/2024 approving the Regulation on Conducting Energy Audits by Large Enterprises (with any subsequent amendments);
  • Relevant CNED methodological guidelines and standards (e.g., SM EN 16247 series for energy audits).
• Ensure that the audit covers at minimum: assessment of current energy consumption, identification of inefficiencies, quantification of energy-saving potential, and prioritized recommendations for efficiency measures and renewable energy integration (where applicable).

I.4 Commitment to Post-Audit Actions (Non-financial)

Although the program provides performance-based support for eligible audit costs (up to USD 10,000 per validated report, and not exceeding 50% of the total audit contract cost), and no direct funding for implementation investments, applicant enterprises must:

• Demonstrate a formal decision or documented intention (e.g., management/board resolution) to implement priority energy efficiency recommendations identified in the audit report;
• Demonstrates that they have initiated the adoption of the energy efficiency-related ISO standards (such as ISO 50001) and/or related standards, if not already in place, in order to qualify for additional targeted technical support of up to USD 4,000 per enterprise;
• Demonstrate institutional and managerial capacity to consider future investments in energy efficiency and/or renewable energy measures based on audit recommendations (e.g., through integration into annual budgets, strategic plans, or applications to national/international financing programs);
• Agree to use the audit results for internal planning, decision-making, reporting to CNED, performance monitoring, and potential access to future financing or support programs (including those managed by CNED, Ministry of Energy, or development partners).

1. COMPETITION PROCEDURE

This competition will be conducted in a single phase, with two evaluation stages, carried out in accordance with the following conditions:

Only applications that pass the administrative evaluation will proceed to technical evaluation. The final selection will be made in descending order of technical scores until five (5) large state-owned or municipal enterprises are selected.

In case of equal scores, priority may be given to enterprises providing essential public services (e.g., water supply, energy, transport, food production) or those with higher demonstrated energy consumption impact.

To participate in the competition, applicant enterprises shall submit a complete application file in electronic format to the indicated email address by the deadline specified in the Expression of Interest.

The application file shall include the following documents:

1. Cover Letter / Letter of Intent (Annex 1), signed by the legal representative (e.g., Director General or authorized person);
2. Completed Application Form (Annex 2), duly filled in and signed by the legal representative (e.g., Director General or authorized person);
3. Copy of the official CNED notification / extract from the List of large enterprises obligated to conduct energy audits, approved by Order of the Director of CNED no. 60/AB dated 30 December 2025 (or the most recent updated list published on the CNED website);
4. Proof of state or municipal ownership / founding status (e.g., extract from the State Register of Legal Entities confirming public ownership, or relevant founding act / decision);
5. Copy of the contract (or draft/final agreement) with a qualified energy audit service provider employing accredited auditors registered in the CNED Electronic Register of Energy Auditors;
6. Signed Declaration on Eligibility, Compliance and Accuracy of Information (Annex 3), confirming all relevant commitments and absence of disqualifying factors.
7. Recent energy consumption data (covering at least the last full reporting year), including:

• electricity bills / consumption records;
• natural gas or thermal energy invoices;
• fuel consumption records (diesel, coal, etc.);
• internal energy monitoring reports or annual energy balance (if available);

1. Photographic evidence (5–10 photos) of key premises, major energy-consuming equipment, or facilities (optional but highly recommended to support assessment of energy relevance);
2. Evidence of intention to implement audit recommendations (e.g., board/management decision or strategic plan reference);
3. Any additional relevant materials (e.g., previous energy-related reports, sustainability strategies).

Incomplete application files that do not include all mandatory documents (especially proof of inclusion in the CNED list and the audit contract, or evidence of an advanced selection process) will not be considered eligible and will be rejected at the administrative stage.

The implementation of the project will follow the stages outlined below:

1. Submission of application files by interested large enterprises;
2. Administrative and technical evaluation of the submitted applications;
3. Approval of the selection decision by the Evaluation Committee;
4. Official notification of selected and non-selected applicants;
5. Signing of a Low Value Performance-Based Payment (PBP) Agreement between UNDP Moldova and the selected enterprises. The Agreement will define the agreed results, deliverables, and payment-linked indicators, as well as reporting obligations. Payments will be made strictly in arrears and will be contingent upon the verified achievement of the specified results and completion of the corresponding deliverables;
6. Conducting the mandatory energy audit by the enterprise-contracted qualified provider;
7. Submission of the completed audit report to CNED for official review and validation;
8. Upon CNED validation of the energy audit, and subject to verification that the agreed results and payment-linked indicators have been achieved, UNDP will process performance-based payments as follows: (i) a performance-based payment for the energy audit results of up to USD 10,000 per validated audit, but not exceeding 50% of the contract value for energy audit development services, and (ii) where applicable, additional targeted support (up to USD 4,000) for the adoption of energy management systems (e.g., ISO 50001). All payments will be made in arrears and only upon confirmation of achieved results.

1. HOW TO SUBMIT APPLICATIONS

3.1 The deadline for submitting applications is 31 May 2026.

• Applications should be submitted to the following email address: andros@undp.org

• EVALUATION CRITERIA

In this competition, applications that obtain a minimum of 70 points in the technical evaluation shall be considered for selection. The final selection will be made in descending order of the technical scores, until a total of five (5) large state-owned or municipal enterprises are selected to benefit from performance-based support of mandatory energy audit costs (up to USD 10,000 per validated audit report) and, where applicable, additional targeted support for adoption of energy management systems (up to USD 4,000 per enterprise).

If the number of applications that score at least 70 points is lower than required to reach five beneficiaries, the Evaluation Committee reserves the right to organize an additional call or adjust the selection threshold accordingly.

In case of equal technical scores, priority will be given in the following order:

1. Enterprises providing essential public services to the population (e.g., water supply and sanitation, energy generation/transmission/distribution, food production, public transport, or other critical infrastructure services);
2. Enterprises with higher demonstrated absolute energy consumption or energy cost impact (based on submitted data);
3. Date of submission of the complete application.

IV.1 Administrative Eligibility Checklist

Note – Administrative evaluation result:

• Eligible – admitted to technical evaluation
• Not eligible – rejected

Only applications declared eligible at this stage will be admitted to the technical evaluation.

IV.2 Technical Evaluation Form

The technical evaluation will assess the strategic relevance, energy profile, potential impact of the audit, and readiness for follow-up actions at the level of large public enterprises.

Maximum total score: 100 points.

1. PROJECT COSTS

• The costs of conducting the mandatory energy audits will be supported through performance-based payments funded by the project “Greening the Future, Advancing Rights and Stability: Spurring an Inclusive and Green Transition with Responsive Governance in the Eastern Neighbourhood Region”, implemented by UNDP Moldova with the financial support of the Government of Denmark.
• UNDP will make performance-based payments up to USD 10,000, but no more than 50% of the contract cost for energy audit development services per selected enterprise for the validated energy audit report, following official validation of the report by the National Centre for Sustainable Energy (CNED). Payment will be processed only after the enterprise submits proof of payment to the audit provider and CNED confirmation of report quality and compliance.
• In addition, if the selected companies demonstrate that they have initiated the adoption of energy efficiency-related ISO standards (such as ISO 50001) and/or related energy efficiency standards, UNDP will provide targeted technical support of up to USD 4,000 per enterprise (e.g., consultancy, training, or preparatory assistance for implementation). This additional support is conditional on documented commitment and is not guaranteed.
• The total estimated budget allocated for this intervention is USD 70,000, covering performance-based payments and additional support for up to five (5) selected large state-owned or municipal enterprises.
• UNDP Moldova will manage all processes related to verification of results, processing of performance-based payments, and coordination with CNED for report validation.
• Participation in this program does not provide direct grants for the implementation of energy efficiency measures recommended in the audit report. Any subsequent investments (e.g., equipment upgrades, renewable energy installations) must be financed from the enterprise’s own resources, national programs, or other external sources.

Important notes:

• All payments are strictly conditional upon full compliance with the Low Value Performance-Based Payment (PBP) Agreement, including verification of achieved results and validation of deliverables in accordance with agreed indicators.
• No financial advance payments are provided; all support is performance-based and made in arrears upon validation of results.

NOTE:

Before submitting your application, please ensure that:

1. The forms are completed correctly;
2. All documents described in point 3 have been attached;
3. All necessary attachments/documents/photographs are attached;
4. Avoid leaving mandatory fields blank; use "N/A" if not applicable;
5. Plan your submission in advance to avoid last-minute complications;
6. Check your email regularly for updates or requests for clarification.

Thank you for your interest!

We look forward to your participation!

For further questions, please contact us at

tel. no.: +373 68686585, Monday-Friday, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., or at the following e-mail address: dorin.andros@undp.org

Please note that there is no legal entitlement to be selected under this process or to receive any of the services/measures described above.

Neither UNDP Moldova nor any of their donors shall be held liable to any company or applicant for the provision of any of the above services, nor for any damages, losses or injuries that may result from participation in this initiative or from the implementation of the project or from the activities described in the above text.

Selected enterprises will enter into a Low Value Performance-Based Payment (PBP) Agreement with UNDP Moldova. This agreement governs the terms and conditions for performance-based payments, including agreed results, verification requirements, reporting obligations, and payment conditions. All payments are strictly contingent upon verified achievement of agreed results and CNED validation of the energy audit deliverables. Payments are made in arrears and only upon confirmation of compliance with the agreed indicators and deliverables.

This document was developed within the project "Greening the Future, Advancing Rights and Stability: Spurring an Inclusive and Green Transition with Responsive Governance in the Eastern Neighbourhood Region," implemented by UNDP Moldova with the financial support of the Government of Denmark.

[1] https://cned.gov.md/sites/default/files/document/attachments/lista_intreprinderilor_mari_ce_au_obligatia_de_a_efectua_audit_energetic.pdf

Supporting documents: